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The Director’s Corner
In Praise of Public Employees
Tom Spencer, Executive Director
I wrote a similar column to this in 2005 and felt
my fellow public employees needed a little lift
coming out of several bad budget years. For a
variety of reasons, it’s time for another pep talk.
We all agree it’s a healthy thing for our state
leaders to streamline government, do away with
wasteful spending, and save taxpayers’ money.
But I bristle more than a little when the rhetoric
from some pundits comes close to attacking
the work ethic or value of public employees. It
is misguided and inaccurate. I have worked in
the private and public sectors and I’ve seen just
as many hard-working, dedicated employees in
the public sector as in private business. It would
be interesting to see how a private corporation
would handle being subject to the Open
Meetings and Open Records acts for even a
short time. We public servants are used to it and
embrace the wisdom of openness in government
as a check and balance for the electorate.
(Continued on page 8)
(Continued on page 2)
Member Dies in the Line of Duty
Jeffrey Matthew McCoy
1979 – 2012
The state of Oklahoma tragically lost an employee who was murdered
while simply doing his job. Jeffery Matthew McCoy was a six-year veteran
probation and parole officer with the Department of Corrections who was
killed when making a scheduled home visit at the home of a parolee. We felt
it only fitting to honor Jeff’s life and service to his state and his country.
Jeff was only 32 at the time of his death and left his wife Megan, son
Alexander, age 7 and daughter Allie Elizabeth, age 4. He had a Criminal
Justice degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and was a Navy
veteran, serving aboard the USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) from 1998-2002 during
conflicts in Kosovo and the Persian Gulf. Jeff was a Boy Scout and remained
active as an adult. Most of all, he was totally devoted to his family, friends
and church. At his funeral, the Reverend Dennis Quirk said Jeff loved his job
“because he believed what he did mattered. He believed he could make a
difference in the lives of those he served. He didn’t just do his job to make a
living; he did it for public safety.”
A memorial fund has been set up for the benefit of Officer McCoy’s children,
The Jeffery McCoy Memorial/Children’s Scholarship Fund, c/o BancFirst, 1201
W. Main Street, Norman, OK 73069.
Active Member Edition Summer 2012
retiring Right P E R S Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
Also in This Issue:
2 / 2012 Legislative Update
3 / Essential OPERS
5 / OPERS Recognized for Quality
6 / Retirement 101
7 / Healthful Hints
8 / Contact OPERS
2012 Legislative Update
The 2012 session of the Oklahoma Legislature adjourned on May 25, 2012.
This was a relatively light year, in terms of legislation directly impacting OPERS
and our members. In this edition of the annual legislative update, we focus on
three bills signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin.

The Director’s Corner
In Praise of Public Employees
Tom Spencer, Executive Director
I wrote a similar column to this in 2005 and felt
my fellow public employees needed a little lift
coming out of several bad budget years. For a
variety of reasons, it’s time for another pep talk.
We all agree it’s a healthy thing for our state
leaders to streamline government, do away with
wasteful spending, and save taxpayers’ money.
But I bristle more than a little when the rhetoric
from some pundits comes close to attacking
the work ethic or value of public employees. It
is misguided and inaccurate. I have worked in
the private and public sectors and I’ve seen just
as many hard-working, dedicated employees in
the public sector as in private business. It would
be interesting to see how a private corporation
would handle being subject to the Open
Meetings and Open Records acts for even a
short time. We public servants are used to it and
embrace the wisdom of openness in government
as a check and balance for the electorate.
(Continued on page 8)
(Continued on page 2)
Member Dies in the Line of Duty
Jeffrey Matthew McCoy
1979 – 2012
The state of Oklahoma tragically lost an employee who was murdered
while simply doing his job. Jeffery Matthew McCoy was a six-year veteran
probation and parole officer with the Department of Corrections who was
killed when making a scheduled home visit at the home of a parolee. We felt
it only fitting to honor Jeff’s life and service to his state and his country.
Jeff was only 32 at the time of his death and left his wife Megan, son
Alexander, age 7 and daughter Allie Elizabeth, age 4. He had a Criminal
Justice degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and was a Navy
veteran, serving aboard the USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) from 1998-2002 during
conflicts in Kosovo and the Persian Gulf. Jeff was a Boy Scout and remained
active as an adult. Most of all, he was totally devoted to his family, friends
and church. At his funeral, the Reverend Dennis Quirk said Jeff loved his job
“because he believed what he did mattered. He believed he could make a
difference in the lives of those he served. He didn’t just do his job to make a
living; he did it for public safety.”
A memorial fund has been set up for the benefit of Officer McCoy’s children,
The Jeffery McCoy Memorial/Children’s Scholarship Fund, c/o BancFirst, 1201
W. Main Street, Norman, OK 73069.
Active Member Edition Summer 2012
retiring Right P E R S Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
Also in This Issue:
2 / 2012 Legislative Update
3 / Essential OPERS
5 / OPERS Recognized for Quality
6 / Retirement 101
7 / Healthful Hints
8 / Contact OPERS
2012 Legislative Update
The 2012 session of the Oklahoma Legislature adjourned on May 25, 2012.
This was a relatively light year, in terms of legislation directly impacting OPERS
and our members. In this edition of the annual legislative update, we focus on
three bills signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin.